The Museum of Modern Art’s (MoMA) 2010 Jazz Interlude Benefit, with its Cocktail Party, Dinner, Jazz Concert – Dessert Reception, and After-Party Dance, was once again presented for The Friends of Education Fund, a Museum Affiliate Group. This Fund was created in 1993 for expanding appreciation of art by African American artists and the participation of African Americans at MoMA. Sherry Bronfman, the renowned Chairman of this biennial event, and her talented team staged a hugely successful event. MOMA’s Agnes Gund Garden Lobby was decorated with tiers of delectable fruit and pastries, champagne and wine bars, and giant floral displays.

This Dessert Party included the Jazz Interlude concert by the Roy Hargrove Quintet, immediately followed by several energized, DJ dance sets. The Garden Lobby was completely filled with MOMA and Friends of Education patrons, as well as MOMA members and jazz enthusiasts. This year it was possible to purchase tickets just for this After-Party for Jazz, Drinks, Dessert, and Dancing, a great idea to attract an even larger audience than that attending the upstairs Benefit Dinner. However, a multitude of patrons descended the staircase from the upstairs dinner, a good sign that The Friends of Education Fund will be thriving in the coming two years, until the 2012 Jazz Interlude, with Sherry Bronfman and her team working as busy as ever.

According to MOMA Press Notes, “Roy Hargrove has been a Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter with Verve Records since 1994, when he released the critically lauded album With Tenors of Our Time. Over the next 15 years, Hargrove recorded a number of classic jazz albums, lent his skills to projects by other noted musicians, and experimented with a contemporary jazz band, The RH Factor, which applies elements of hip-hop, funk, soul, and gospel music into a jazz mix. Hargrove's most recent album, Emergence (2009), documents the ongoing evolution of the big band.” (MOMA Press Notes) MOMA Press Notes also mention that “the after-party would begin and conclude with joint DJ sets by Asher Roth and Hannah Bronfman. In 2009 Roth's debut single, “I Love College,” rose to number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, with his full-length solo debut album, Asleep in the Bread Aisle, released that same year.” (MOMA Press Notes). Press Notes list “?uestlove” as onstage DJ.

After the upper level dinner, the Gala Dinner guests and After-Party guests all gathered at bistro tables or mingled in the Garden Lobby in conversation enhanced by the tempting desserts and flowing wine and champagne. The speeches and announcements must have been presented at the upstairs dinner, because downstairs was truly party time. I loved watching and listening to the Roy Hargrove Quintet, with pulsating solos and searing ensemble musicality. They did not announce pieces, as they might in a jazz club, but rather played in celebration of this magnificent event. Many in the crowd sat transfixed, throughout the jazz concert, while others partied and conversed. This event differed considerably from the past two, with the jazz played then in the auditorium, as a formal concert. Each of the three biennial Jazz Interludes that I attended were somewhat different, and tonight’s was tremendously received. The audience was vocally appreciative, especially with wine and martinis in hand, plus giant strawberries and tiny cheesecakes and fruit tarts.

Kudos to all the musicians and to tonight’s honorees and sponsors, for their fine contribution to the arts and to the Friends of Education Fund. Kudos to MoMA’s Friends of Education membership for their commendable mission and dedicated work. Kudos to Ms. Bronfman and George T. Wein for this wonderful reception and concert. Stop by MoMA at 11 West 53rd Street, NYC, between 5th and 6th Avenues. And, allow a good deal of time to explore the galleries and exhibits.